i got the razor ready. >> i could get, like, a big "m." >> yeah, yeah. "novel ending" is the category. while his most famous literary creation sleeps in a coffin, what author was cremated after he died and had his ashes put in an urn? >> i'm just gonna go with "c," bram stoker, final answer. >> created dracula, bram stoker, absolutely right. [cheers and applause] all right, show us the money, please: $2,000, up to $30,000. [cheers and applause] "ok bayou?" is the category. >> [snickers] >> which of these louisiana-based reality shows is about a family of self-described "redneck" millionaires?

>> i'm pretty sure i know the answer. and i'm going to go... [laughter] "d," duck dynasty, final answer. >> it's duck dynasty. you got it right. [cheers and applause] >> oh. >> okay, jason, let's put some more money in the bank. how about another $7,000? $37,000. >> wow. >> you were looking at your wife, the clown, denise. nice to see you, denise. >> hi. >> looking very cute. >> hi, meredith and "scaredith." >> does he--does jason dress like this at home ever or... >> no, thankfully not. although, he walks very well in those heels. i was... >> all right, jason. >> surprised. >> "other works" is your next category. filed in 1992, what pop star is

a credited "inventor" on patent no. 5,255,452, or "method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion"? >> gravity illusion... you know what? i'm gonna use--i'm gonna use the crystal ball here. >> want to see the crystal ball? okay, let's... >> whoo-whoo. >> this question temporarily out of play--let's take a look into the crystal ball and see just how much this question is worth. and we know it's worth $100. right now, we know that that's the value and is now back in play. what would you like to do? >> i am going to bat away the question. >> okay, you've batted away the question. it's now out of play. let's see the correct answer. the correct answer was michael jackson, used in his smooth criminal video. we know there was $100 behind that question. you are now 9 questions away from winning $1 million. here is your next question.

on a globe, what imaginary line marks the southern boundary of the north frigid zone? >> i'm gonna go with "c," arctic circle, final answer. >> it is "c," the arctic circle. [cheers and applause] >> all right. >> all right, jason, put some more money in that bank of yours. how about $500? up to $37,500. we're gonna take a break right now. we'll be right back with our halloween edition of millionaire. [cheers and applause] [ male announcer ] in blind taste tests, even ragu users chose prego.

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[dramatic music] ♪ [cheers and applause] >> and welcome back to a special halloween edition of millionaire. i'm here with my look-alike, jason hoffman from virginia beach, virginia. $37,500 in the bank, two lifelines left, 8 away from the million. harder to play the game or harder to wear those high heels? >> i would say the high heels. >> a little tricky? >> a little bit. i'm like, you know, "i don't know how you stand in these things all day." >> and what size shoe do you wear? >> i wear, like, 11, 12, and these are a 13w. >> really? [laughter] >> running around a drag store, trying to find these things. >> [laughs] >> but yet again, something to be proud of. >> exactly. well, listen, kiddo. as i said, two lifelines left, 4 away from round 2. at that point, you get to keep all the money in your bank. you ready to keep playing? >> let's go. >> let's go. let's play. [dramatic musical flourish] [applause] california's mariposa county got its name from spanish explorers

who discovered huge numbers of what creatures there? >> mariposa county... i have no idea what that may mean in spanish, so i am going... god, mariposa county, huh? "huge numbers of what creatures there"? yeah, i'm gonna... i'm gonna bat away the question. >> okay, batting away the question. it's now out of play. let us see the correct answer. butterflies is the correct answer. mariposa is spanish for butterfly. now let's see how much money you batted away. ooh. [audience groaning] ouch. >> all right, that's all right. >> okay. all right, well, that money is gone now. you batted it away. but because of that, listen. you're 1 question closer to

the million, now just 7 away. and you still have one lifeline left. "wealthy woman" is the category. called "the youngest self-made female billionaire in history" by forbes, sara blakely made a fortune after creating what company? >> [clears throat] i think, you know, i might be wearing something like that. [laughter] no, i'm not wearing anything like that. i mean, i commit, but not that much. [laughter] i'm feeling pretty confident. i'm feeling very confident that i am going to go with "c," spanx, final answer. >> yeah, you're feeling it, baby. it is spanx. [cheers and applause] okay, what's behind the question? another $10,000. $47,500. now just 2 questions left in round 1, 2 questions left:

one worth $1,000, one worth $5,000. "skinternet." according to facebook's standards on nude images, what ts can be posted if they're on a man and not a woman? >> well... >> which are you? [laughter] >> no. ♪ head, shoulders ♪ knees, and toes i'm gonna go with, you know, so long as they're on a man and not a woman and, you know, i'm gonna go with "c," nipples, final answer. >> yeah, nipples. [cheers and applause] okay, jason, it's worth either $5,000 or $1,000. how much is behind this question? how about $5,000? >> yeah! >> $52,500. 1 question left in round 1. i'm getting my razor ready. >> hey, hey. >> "spooky passing."

which of these famous figures died on halloween? >> i got it narrowed down to two. and then, so we're one question away... >> from round 2. >> from round 2, so i am going to use my last lifeline. and i am going to ask the audience. >> you're gonna pick the audience's brain, as they say? >> i am going to pick the audience's brain. >> yeah, okay, audience, jason needs your help. on your keypads, vote now. [percussive music] ♪ yeah, 63% say harry houdini. now, you said, you were between two of them. which two... >> and that was--i was between "b" and "d." >> okay. >> so we got a big percentage going with "b," so you know what? go big or go home, right? so...

>> apparently. [laughter] >> apparently? so we're gonna go with "b," final answer, harry houdini. [scattered applause] >> yeah, it is harry houdini. [cheers and applause] it's worth $1,000. [cheers and applause] we're gonna take a break. when we come back, you're gonna see that $100,000 question. we'll be right back with more millionaire. [cheers and applause] [dramatic music] ♪ >> and welcome back to our holiday edition of millionaire. jason hoffman from virginia, $53,500 in your bank.

you have made it through to round 2. i know you don't want your chest hair shaved. i understand that, but you are playing me, okay. so do i get a cut of whatever you make? >> oh. >> since you are playing me. >> yeah, you know, let me think about that--no. >> oh. [laughter] [bleep]. [laughter] [cheers and applause] anyway. i didn't say that. i didn't say that. all right, listen. you are now in round 2. your next question is worth $100,000. all kidding aside, it is time to play classic millionaire. [cheers and applause] okay, jason, you're 4 questions away from the $1 million. that $53,500 in your bank, that is now your money. if you can't answer this question, you choose to walk away, you can walk away with that amount. take a look at the $100,000 question. [dramatic musical flourish] ♪

though it sounds like an event for bald men hoping to achieve their dreams, rogaining is actu actually a what? >> "sounds like an event for bald men..." so an event would tell me it's either a--it's an actual move, something, right, an event. all right, you know what? oh, man. >> nothing jumping out? >> down to two, and i, you know, want to risk the money, and... >> which two are you down to? >> i'm down to outdoor sport or a folk dance. you know what? i came all this way, right? >> you did. >> i came all this way. >> but let me remind you. you have $53,500. you get this right, you'll have

$100,000. you get it wrong, you would drop to $25,000. >> $25,000 is a good amount of money, right? >> it is. it's not $53,500... >> i know, but when am i gonna get to do this again. >> but it's not $100,000 either. >> it's not $100,000 either. it's like three-to-one on my money, right? so i am gonna go with "b," folk dance, final answer. >> you had it down to the-- narrowed it down to the two. one of them was right. it was "c," outdoor sport. [audience groaning] it's a kind of orienteering... >> that's all right. >> long-distance, cross-country. >> it's all right. [cheers and applause] >> you know what? why not try? >> why not try? >> great job, "scaredith." we'll be right back with more millionaire right after this. come on down, denise. yeah, come on. [cheers and applause]

>> here is your question of the day: stay tuned for the answer.

>> the answer to that question was midnight. [cheers and applause] and welcome back to millionaire. we're almost out of time, so instead of starting a new game, we're gonna give one of our audience members a shot at winning $1,000. [cheers and applause] and our lucky audience member is alan edwards. alan edwards? [cheers and applause] [dramatic music] ♪ hey, alan, nice to meet you. how are you? >> how are you, meredith? >> i'm good, alan. how are you? >> i'm fine. i'm better now. >> yeah, now, tell us a little bit about yourself. >> well, i'm 32 years old. i'm a track worker for m.t.a. here in new york city. >> oh, sure, okay. [cheers and applause] >> yeah. >> that's a busy job. >> yes. >> a lot to do? >> see a lot of these running around. >> yeah, i know. the rats? [laughter] >> oh. >> but those aren't made of rubber, so... >> oh, no, no, no. >> yeah, yeah, yeah. >> that one's looking kind of hungry. [laughter] >> well, let me tell you. we're gonna give you a fun halloween-themed question.

you get it right and you get $1,000. >> okay, all right, all right. thank you. thank you. >> there's only one caveat to all of this. in order to play for $1,000, you have to also wear the wig that jason had on. >> is that the wig he just took off? >> what? >> is that-- >> that's the wig he just took off. it's fine. >> that's worth $100,000. >> [laughs] [audience whistling, cheering] [cheers and applause] got it? >> yes. >> oh, yeah. oh, yeah. now we're talking. >> i'm ready. >> okay, alan says he's ready. you guys, are you ready? [cheers and applause] then let's play millionaire. [dramatic musical flourish] all right, alan, or whoever you are. i'm so confused. a new race called "run for your lives" has runners completing an obstacle course while dodging volunteers dressed as what? >> "grizzly bears, aliens,

sharks..." >> you know, you look very attractive. >> oh. >> you do. it's a nice look. >> [laughs] thank you. [laughter] zombies is jumping out at me, so i'm thinking, i'm gonna go with zombies. >> final? >> that's final. >> you got yourself $1,000. [cheers and applause] there you go. very nice, honey, very, very, nice. congratulations. [horn blares] and that sound means that our time is up for today, but we'll see you next time. until then, from new york, everybody, happy halloween. >> happy halloween! [cheers and applause] as an actress, i know to fight stretch marks you use palmer's. palmer's works and i'm the proof! palmer's cocoa butter formula. perfect formula. extraordinary results.

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this morning on "world news now" -- the long road to recovery. new york city takes new steps as it tries to get back on its feet after hurricane sandy. but from the streets to the subways, it is far from business as usual. it's thursday, november 1st. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good thursday morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. a familiar face back in the house. >> yes. i'm so, so happy to be here. i have been trapped in westchester county in my home. >> no power. we have power here. no power at home. >> nice and warm here. [ laughter ] >> i get it. >> so we are healthy and safe. >> and that's what counts. >> that's what counts. >> absolutely. >> i'm sunny hostin. paula faris is on assignment. we'll get the latest on the wreckage, the rescues and the recovery in the wake of sandy in

just a moment. also this half hour, just five days until the election. we haven't been talking about that. >> what election? what? what? >> -- because of the storm. as the campaign trail and the hurricane's trail of destruction crisscross. >> it was an amazing day yesterday between the president and governor christie in new jersey. >> oh, yes. >> no one quite gets or understands how this will play out. does this help romney? does it help the president? what are the polls showing? it has been a topsy-turvy few days, no one really knows. we'll know tuesday night. won't we? >> yes. also ahead, heroes of the hurricanes, some of the neighbors helping neighbors with a new life on the line. then, we'll lighten things up a little and show you some of the best celebrity halloween costumes "ifs and butts" that will make more sense. shortly. that will come up in "the

skinny". >> people have a little idea what's going on. bring "the skinny" back after a few days of all storm news. that's good. of course we have got to stick with the sandy story and palpable signs of recovery in sandy's wake. power is being restored in what has been a very dark lower manhattan. and traffic lights in new york's financial district came back on yesterday afternoon. power to buildings is coming back a bit slower. one by one. still a bit of good news. >> parts of new york's virtual lifeline, the subway system, will begin running again today. millions of people count on the system here in new york. the flooding which closed so many stations and tunnels has eased a bit. new york's mayor though is urging patience and tolerance. >> many people's lives were turned upside down by the storm. and you have my word that everyone in city government at every level is working 24 hours a day to get the city back on track, including working with the mta, and con-ed to meet the two biggest challenges we face. mass transit and electric power. >> now, laguardia airport which suffered severe flooding, you can see it there, will open again this morning for limited

service. the city's other two airports are up and running and amtrak says it will also begin service to the big apple starting tomorrow. thousands of people in hoe coken, new jersey, though, are still waiting for rescue. at least 25% of the city is under water, and the national guard has been working around the clock carrying people to safety. and the scene is growing more desperate. the mayor says the standing water is now filled with sewage. some people have run out of food and now there are reports, unfortunately, of price-gouging, with three bags of potato chips and a drink going for $14. which its infuriating to me. >> awful. people in every tragedy you find people who try to take advantage. this one is no different. it's so, so dad. put it farther south, new jersey residents got a visit from president obama. just days now before the election next week, the president put politics aside to tour the storm zone. >> there he was, side by side with governor chris christie, one of mitt romney's biggest supporters.

more from abc's jake tapper. >> reporter: hurricane sandy has forced the president to cancel his appearance at seven campaign events. but he may have gotten something more valuable. >> you're going to be okay. everybody's safe, right? >> reporter: the opportunity to lead and be seen leading. with new jersey's republican governor chris christie at a shelter in bringhamtine, new jersey. >> hang in there. >> thank you. >> reporter: there is was a most public display of bipartisanship, a trait many undecided voters profess to love, one sorely lacking in washington, d.c. >> he has worked incredibly closely with me. i cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern. >> governor christie throughout this process has been responsive. he has put his heart and soul into making sure that the people of new jersey bounce back even stronger than before. >> reporter: the president seems confident his campaign manager said they have the math. romney's campaign the myth. polls out had the president up in two of the states the president needs to put together his electoral puzzle.

wisconsin and ohio. and it's not as if all campaigning has discontinued. >> we have got to get through the next six days. >> vice president biden in florida, and former president bill clinton in iowa making the president's case for him. >> obama's economic plan is better. >> reporter: starting thursday, president obama will be campaigning, full time. full steam ahead going to wisconsin, colorado, nevada. three cities in ohio. and that's just thursday and friday. jake tapper, abc news, the white house. romney was also striking a harmonious note as he hit the campaign trail in florida. refraining though from lashing out at the president. >> the latest abc news poll shows the race is still in a dead heat. romney replaced any criticism of his opponent with talk of unity. >> look, we can't go on the road we are on. we can't change course in america, if we keep on attacking each other. we have got to come together and get america on track again. >> romney hits the road today in another key battleground state.

holding several events in virginia. and supporters there will be able to drop off donations for storm relief efforts. >> you listen to some analysts. i still think it's really unclear whether this helps or hurts the president. romney or the president. i think people really don't know. it is a tight race, the bottom line. but legitimate questions about people who have lost power, will they go to vote. will polling sites have power in the hard hit areas. lots of questions come tuesday. >> arguably, the northeast will swing democratic, right, that's historically true. >> historically. >> historically true. but i thought it was sort of interesting this sort of bromance we saw between president obama and chris christie. >> yeah, they're dating. they're dating. >> and they basically, i think, chris christie, almost vouched for president obama. and so, as a leader, during these tough times. so that was pretty fascinating. i think that may have an effect. >> appearance of being presidential. you know what i mean? in a tragic situation like that. so we will see how it plays out. lots of questions though. hundreds of residents, many

who refused orders to evacuate ahead of sandy are stuck in shelters this morning. this center along the jersey shore wasn't originally supposed to provide shelter. but volunteers made a last minute decision. local restaurants are helping out donating food and cooks to provide three square meals a day. now everyone is just waiting for the all clear. >> our home was down on 12th street north. we heard that part of the island took a huge hit. we haven't been able to make it back there yet. so pretty much, we are just looking at complete loss. >> now there were some reassuring signs of normal life in the garden state. despite the governor's request to postpone halloween until monday the 5th. these little ones went trick or treating in the town of oradell. looking good. >> i like that. like that. >> kids have got to have a halloween. i like that too. well, work crews from all over the country are pouring into the areas hard hit by sandy.

southern california, edison, packed up its equipment and hundreds of personnel for duty in new york and new jersey. >> if you can imagine the devastation that is in new york, what we are doing is they're asking us to send literally self-contained work groups. >> of course the need for utility crews is huge. about 6 million homes and businesses are still without power. and i love to hear about those not affected coming in and helping those that need the help. >> absolutely. >> so badly. >> you can't look at this and not feel, not get your heart strings pulled. you can't. well, something uplifting here, a great story, in fact, involving one of new york's famous steakhouses. it's called the old homestead in lower manhattan. instead of letting the steaks and good meat go bad because the power is out. they decided to sell it at cut rate prices. >> yes, they moved the kitchen out on to the sidewalk. and charged passer-byes, $10 for a steak that goes for $47 on the menu. >> ooh, that's a deal!

>> the desserts were offered at greatly reduced prices as well. the owner told the cooks to keep all the cash. >> i like that. i like that. see that is humanity some times. a good steak too. >> good steak. coming up next-- the race will go on. the new york city marathon is a go. despite the storm clean-up that still needs to be done. why not everyone agrees with that decision. but first, fab neighbors helping neighbors. the men and women who went above and beyond during the storm to make sure even the smallest among us stayed safe. but before we go -- a look at how you too can help. >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by lifestyle lift. you by lifestyle lift.

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♪ well, every rescue from disaster is a harrowing and dramatic story in which selfless people come to the aid of those in dire need. >> there are tales of generosity and gratitude. all over the place. >> uh-huh. >> abc's david muir has a storybook full of them. >> reporter: new mom julia and her husband deron and their new baby mica letting us know that they're okay. >> hey, david. as you can see we are doing great and really happy. >> reporter: like so many people they wanted just one thing to say thank you to the quiet samaritans, nurses simply doing their jobs, who became the real heroes of the hurricane. julia was in labor having

contraction inside that new york hospital that went dark, lost power when the generators gave out. desperate for an epidural in the darkness, her husband held the cell phone light while nurses want to work. >> i was standing, and it was one of the flip -- flip cell phones, one of the old ones, and i was just basically holding it above her while she was putting in the iv kind of making sure there was enough light for the doctors behind her. >> reporter: they were rushed out of the hospital, they got into an ambulance. but driving the ambulance was a worker who had come from california to help with the storm approaching. and when they said they were heading to mount sinai hospital. he said, "how do you get there?" navigating the streets part of the tree came crashing down on the ambulance. they got there. 40 minutes later, baby micah was born. >> how is micah? >> oh, he's beautiful. he is awesome. >> reporter: so many families like them touched by the kindness, bravery of others. >> there is no words i have to thank them for what they did for us. >> reporter: this mom and dad and their baby, just 6 hours old were also carried out of the darkened hospital.

>> it is pretty amazing. you saw them dripping with sweat, and carrying the women that couldn't walk down the stairs. >> y'all were the welcoming committee? >> yes, yes. >> reporter: this was the team waiting at lenox hill hospital, taking inpatients. >> there's no practice for this, never. >> reporter: no practice but perseverance and pride in what they were doing in those dark hours. >> happy ending? >> definitely. it's all about passion. >> reporter: passion for those who helped. and parents who are forever grateful. david muir, abc news, new york. >> the parents have quite a story to share with that kid. [ laughter ] all right. when we come back, change gears, lighten the mood a little bit. it's been a long week for everybody, and we'll see what's shaking in "the skinny." >> yes, you are watching "world news now." >> announcer: "world news now" continues after this from our high speed internet at home on our newly expanded advanced digital network, a connection you can count on. introducing at&t u-verse high speed internet with more speed options, reliability and wi-fi hot spots than ever.

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♪ skinny ♪ so skinny welcome back, everybody. this is the first time all week we've had "the skinny." it's been a serious week. we didn't want to kind of. there was other important things to got to. but we are slowly saying, let's get back to, a new normal, a little bit. >> a new normal. >> so we're bringing "the skinny" back here. and of course yesterday was halloween. didn't feel like it. >> didn't feel that way. >> weird kind of, you know, weird holiday this year, all that is going on with the storm. we thought we would give you a glimpse as to some cool costumes out there. starting with ellen degeneres.

she came -- this was really great -- she came as sophia vergara's exposed butt cheeks. that is what she dressed as on the left. that's what she dressed as on the left. >> she had the wardrobe malfunction. >> sophia did. ellen decided to have a little fun. the real sophia on the right. they're dancing on the show. ellen is out there making fun of the wardrobe malfunction. letting it hang out. ellen loves to dance any way. >> yes. >> sophia is famous for her curves to say the least. that is a costume i can really get my hands around. >> she does a good sophia, doesn't she? >> award winning, modern family, i get so much work with this fake accent. people think it's real. i don't know why, people think it's real. but i -- [ laughter ] >> they had a lot of fun. i like it. well done, ellen. well done. >> well done. >> well, i love this one. because i am a huge fan of

superheroes and all that. >> you love it. >> i mean, i have got my wonder woman blanket. he keeps it very cold here. >> i do like it cold. >> i saw this. i thought, wow, the rock wins halloween, as, look, look, look, the hulk. >> he looks just like the hulk. >> he looks just like him. it's so good. it's so good. >> wow. >> so good. >> that's the rock, man, all green. impressive. >> like lou ferrigno. >> like normal dude didn't need the fake muscles. that is all him. >> it was right there. fantastic. >> you like that picture, huh? i see you got a little smile, uh-huh, all right. [ laughter ] >> who doesn't like the rock? >> of course, also, you've heard a lot of talk about the jersey shore in light of sandy here, but it's also the name of the incredibly popular mtv show in its last season here. you hear so much, so many pictures from seaside heights, almost wiped off the map. there it is obviously on the show featured during much, much better days.

there's that roller coaster that's now in the water. but anyway, the cast, i give them a lot of credit. they extended their thoughts and sympathies and come out in support of the, the roller coaster, i mentioned showing their support for the town that became even, you know, this part of the country, know that town, one that show took off -- >> everyone knew. >> -- yeah, everyone knew about seaside heights in a world of hurt. >> so snooki said it's devastating to see seaside affects. devastating to see the boardwalk ruined. my thoughts go out to everyone affected by the storm. j-wow on the leno show, she lost power. all her friends, fiance, are safe, that is all that matters. devastating. and vinny from staten island. he said my home town is like a war zone these days. he said, so, he posted pictures on twitter that kind of thing. they're all expressing their support for the area of the country that made them rich and made them famous. i'm glad to see them coming out

and speaking out and share some sympathy. >> absolutely. because it makes it almost tangible for people. if you watched the show. you know, feel the devastation. >> absolutely. >> last but not least. jimmy kimmel. everyone has someone they idolize as a child. i idolize someone, oprah. >> you know. you call her -- >> the oracle. well, he apparently idolized david letterman as a child. and he had the opportunity to have david letterman on his show. he's from brooklyn originally. that's actually, his cake said "late night with david letterman." he had a license plate on his car that said, late night. look at that. so, big, big deal for jimmy kimmel. he gets to interview david letterman on his show. he is usually in l.a. but he is in brooklyn. it was preplanned. he gets here, of course, hurricane sandy hits. >> totally coincidental. planned for months. obviously, jimmy is from brooklyn. tapes the show out west. compared to having letterman on his show when letterman had carson on his show. everyone in the business has an idol. dave is one of jimmy's.

>> yours, yours, we got to find out. >> we have more news coming up. stay with us, everybody. >> we have more news coming up. stay with us, everybody. follow the wings.

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i feel -- all right, finally this half hour, the new york city marathon is set for this coming sunday. 50,000 folks will run across all five of the city's boroughs. >> in any year, that's a huge event. but this year coming less than a week after the hurricane hit, some say it should be called off. laura benekey of our new york station has the story. >> reporter: it is often said that major sporting events have ability to unite a city or region in the wake of disastrous events. officials and runners believe the ing new york city marathon will do this for the city after hurricane sandy. >> we are simply heartsick for those who have been hurt by hurricane sandy. the opportunity is for the marathon to beep our most visible step forward as a city. >> the ing marathon shows off

the spirit of the city look no other. i think after tragedies the best thing we can do is come together and celebrate. >> reporter: the new york roadrunners understand the amount of work that is required to get an event of this magnitude up and running but insist they will not interrupt the city's post storm work. >> the joint effort of new york workers in the city is certainly not to distract one resource from the recovery of the city. >> reporter: at this point the new york road runners are optimistic. most of the elite athletes will arrive in time for sunday's race. but they do say it is important for all the runners to have a little flexibility. >> i think the best thing you can do is not stress. elite athlete or every athlete out there, stress doesn't help your race it doesn't help travel. you kind of have to roll with the punches. >> reporter: which really is typical of any race. >> one of the things, distance running it never goes perfectly in a race or training. you kind of just have to go with it. >> definitely not the year everybody was planning to run will run.

and that's okay. the total positive impact will still be more than significant. and helpful to the city. >> reporter: channel 7, eyewitness news. >> see, i think it is important to the city for those vendors that are there. for the businesses. you know, i ran the marine corps marathon, it really is incredible when you have the folks coming out on the street, you got to stop and you're buying things. >> but all of that just miles from where homes have been washed away and people are -- homeless and, i don't know. i think it's a tough call. there is no right answer. i think it's just -- >> well, it's the same call that had to be made in new orleans after katrina with mardi gras. >> huge debate. the difference was -- the storm in august. mardi gras was in february. months between. now days between. >> i know. >> i don't know. i don't know. a tough call here. it is going to go on. the mayor said it is. those of you coming into the city to do it. run hard. run well. we'll be back with more after this. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now." informing insomniacs for two decades.

this morning on "world news now," a presidential promise of help in the heart of the hurricane devastation. >> president obama and new jersey governor chris christie stood side by side as they toured the destruction and talks with the victims of sandy. it's thursday, november 1st. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good thursday morning, i'm sunny hostin. paula faris is on assignment. >> always good to have you as the co-pilot here. >> so good to be here. >> there's power here and there's heat which is good. >> yes. both of which i do not have at home. >> soldiering through. welcome back, sunny. good to have you. i'm rob nelson. good thursday morning, everybody. of course, new jersey is still reeling in the wake of hurricane sandy, and more on the president's trip coming of in a moment.

very interesting day politically between the two interesting guys, yeah. also ahead, trying to get the power back to the people of new york. big stretches of the big apple still in the cold and dark. and across the hurricane zone, the very real fear of fire. the hissing sound and unmistakable smell of natural gas in the air. very, very important story coming up. >> and horribly disconcerting. we said earlier, one spark, one zbrat butt, whatever, could be a catastrophe on top of another catastrophe. so a familiar, furry face. a friend to children when they need it most. see how elmo is reaching out to reassure so many kids who may have been scared by the storm. >> got to love "sesame street." >> and kids do get -- you have to wonder what's going on in their world. elmo hopefully put them at ease. >> yes, a little bit. but first, millions are spending another night in the

cold and dark. utilities say it could be days before the power is totally restored in sandy any aftermath. >> there are signs of recovery here in new york. most broadway shows are back. importantly some subway service resumes in the morning. the news new yorkers have been waiting to hear. even lower manhattan is slowly getting power back. abc's brandi hitt joining us in lower manhattan, in fact near wall street. good morning, brandi. >> reporter: good morning, rob. good morning, sunny. that's right. we're starting to see the power come back on here in lower manhattan. and just as these cleanup efforts really start to get under way, we're learning of new dangers surfacing in the wake of sandy, including the threat of fire. sandy left behind a sea of destruction. a high pressure gas main broke and gases pouring out of floodwaters. after losing everything, families fear, the natural gas liking from piles of rubble that sparked several fires. president obama accompanied

new jersey governor chris christie for an up close look at the damage. an entire neighborhood washed away. >> you are going to be okay. you are safe. what i can promise you is that the federal government will be working as closely as possible with the state and local officials and we will not quit until this is done. >> reporter: the iconic boardwalk is in ruins. and thousand of people are still trapped in hoboken. >> it's scary. you don't know how long you're going to be stuck here. >> reporter: in new york there is also severe damage. it is remarkable no one died here at breezy point where residents returned to salvage anything they could. >> it's devastating. it's something like you never saw before. it's hard to believe. >> reporter: lights are slowly coming back on in lower manhattan. and work continues to restore other areas. the national guard was called in to help evacuate hundreds of patients at new york's belleview hospital, one of the largest trauma centers in the nation. conditions have been deteriorating since sandy hit. and sandy isn't finished. strong winds, rain and snow

continue to cause damage as the storm moves north. now there will be limited subway service this morning. but there won't be any subways coming here to lower manhattan where they're trying to pump out some of the water from the subways. the good news is la guardia will be reopening with limited service. but rob, sunny that means we'll have all three major airports in this region up and running again. >> inching back to normalcy. thank you, brandi, appreciate it. across the hudson in new jersey, thousands of residents in hoboken are still waiting for rescue. the national guard used high-wheeled vehicles to deliver ready-to-eat meals to people stranded in their homes. >> about 25% of the city is under water. and the water is quickly becoming contaminated with sewage. >> you can't communicate with anyone. you can't find out what's going on anywhere else. we've been on this little island. >> experts say the low-lying city is like a giant bathtub that fills up during major

storms. and now more on the situation here in new york city. some signs of recovery, if ever so slight. >> uh-huh. >> some street lights in lower manhattan which was inundated with water were restored yesterday. >> those living near the world trade center site, were first to have theirs turned back on. crews are working 24 hours a day to get the electricity flowing again. >> and it was impossible to miss here in my hometown. lots of new yorkers walking instead of using limited bus service available. things will ease a bit today. parts of the city's extensive subway system are reopening today and measures are being put in place to ease gridlock on the streets. >> some folks in new york had extremely long commutes yesterday because of that gridlock, yeah. resourcefulness, new york style. these folks hit a bank and used its power to charge cell phones. customers across northeast are having trouble completing calls because of knocked out transmission sites.

well late yesterday, at&t and t-mobile announced plans to actually share their networks during the aftermath. nice move, companies! >> new yorkers. >> banding together. can you hear me now? >> resilient groups. one of the heartbreaking images from storm coverage came from queens where row upon rows of houses burned as sandy raged. >> now people are returning to sift through what is left of their lives. and our new york station, wabc was there. >> reporter: the floodwater isn't the only thing sinking in here. >> the people in this neighborhood are devastated. >> reporter: soap is the magnitude of the clean-up. from bal harbour, homes are filled with the smell of diesel fuel to the smoke in breezy point. new yorkers are trying to come to grips with the long road ahead. >> just where the kids grew up. it's the only -- only house they've ever known. >> reporter: tom duffy one of

the new yorkers, sifting through the rubble with his hands. carefully turning over charred pieces of what was part of his life. the family home here in breezy point, one of more than 100, leveled, by the fire. >> i can't believe, just, two months ago we were down here. it's crazy. >> reporter: what do do you when this is what you're coming home to? where do you start when you're trying to rebuild? you start small. grab what you can. what the fire didn't take. and then come together. something that the governor expressed as he toured the devastation. >> we want them to know that we are here for them. and new yorkers really believe in the spirit of community. nobody rises to the occasion like new yorkers do. and it is going to be okay. we are going to make sure it is okay. >> reporter: from the rubble comes hope. and tom duffy finds what he's been searching for. >> the important stuff. >> reporter: a photo album

perhaps the only thing here that's not a total loss. >> we don't even know what this is yet. it's just a pile. it's something we've been able to salvage up until now. we had to figure out. >> unbelievable. >> difference between when something floods and things get mildewed. second floor, survives. and the fire just everything is gone. >> everything is gone. >> my heart breaks for the folks. >> the report from our new york station, wabc. that community devastated by fire, now one hoping to avoid are the same fate. >> that's right, the bubbles in the water are the result of a liking natural gas line. that's what an abc news crew found yesterday. in the hard-hit community of seaside heights, new jersey. residents were none too pleased, though, at the response. >> i don't know why there is not more trucks here right now. i mean, this is where we took the main shot. this is it. like, where, where were all the gas trucks? you got down the block. we got down the block. why can't we get gas trucks down the block. >> the fear is that a single

spark could cause a devastating explosion and fire, like we saw earlier. the utility companies say they're doing whatever they can to make everything safe. the first responders really are working tirelessly to help. but they've got to get there. >> really, but they said there's no threat to life for -- you know, to property. hard to believe when they're living with the hissing sound of gas. >> got to get there. >> please. well, a plan is in the works to secure the huge crane that sandy left dangling from a manhattan high-rise 90 stories up. i think everyone's familiar with that shot, right? look at that. >> yep. engineers determined the crane is securely fastened. okay. they're planning to construct another crane. so the damaged crane can then be removed. city officials say the entire process, yep, could take weeks. >> i'm such a curmudgeon and a skeptic, but that dangling crane thing makes me very nervous. >> working to shrink, several streets closed off. working on shrinking the area.

could take weeks to build a second crane. take the bad crane down. insane in midtown. well, despite the enormous damage, it was great to see kids did not forget halloween. i know mine didn't. these little ones in or adell, new jersey decides to ignore the governor's request to postpone trick or treating. >> that's right, governor christie said, schedule for monday the fifth. in the west, midwood section of brooklyn, families gathered to march in the annual halloween parade. something to be said always for sticking with tradition. you can't no matter what. officially. monday, november 5th. according to governor christie. officially rescheduled halloween with the. >> you want the kids to have some sort of normalcy in this. >> you want the candy. they deserve some candy. coming up, how "sesame street" helped children

understand hurricane sandy. but first, candidates are about to resume campaigning. day a look at their game plan with five days to go before the election. first a look at how you can help the victims of hurricane sandy. please donate. >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by no no hair removal. follow the wings.

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with just five days to go until the big vote. here is abc's karen travers. >> reporter: in the final sprint to election day both candidates have been angling for any advantage. and in new jersey, president obama had the biggest one of all, the power of the presidency. off the campaign trail for a third straight day, president obama surveyed the damage along a nearly 60-mile stretch of the jersey shore with governor chris christie. >> we are here for you. and we will not forget, we will follow up to make sure that you get all of the help that you need, until you rebuild. >> reporter: obama and christie are a very unlikely paring with less than a week until election day. the blunt, brash, republican governor one of mitt romney's most staunch supporters. with his state facing historic devastation and massive rebuilding, christie welcomed the president's help. >> he has worked incredibly closely with me since before the storm hit.

i think this is our sixth conversation since the weekend. and it's -- it's been a great working relationship. >> reporter: in such a tight race, romney couldn't afford to lose another day on the campaign trail. he was in florida, a state that is essentially a must win for him. romney set aside his usual attacks and struck a more subdued optimistic tone. >> this is a turning point in american history. >> reporter: his only fleeting reference to the president -- >> it is time to take a new path of bold, aggressive change. >> reporter: it's back to politics for president obama. he'll make stops in wisconsin, nevada and colorado. karen travers, abc news, washington. >> by all measures this is still a tied race, that is still going to come down to a few key swing states. most notably, ohio. according to a quinnipiac/"the new york times" poll that we got yesterday, halloween, obama is up by five points, 50-45 over

romney in ohio. if, you know, like i said you don't know the impact of the storm. you've don't know, every poll says something different. so you don't know how it will play out. all eyes really ohio and florida. but then democrats could be losing ground, in what they thought were solid blue states including michigan and minnesota now. >> you would think though the folks in florida, with all of the hurricanes that they get, they want someone they can respond vigorously and robustly to this type of tragedy. and with chris christie, again, vouching for president obama, i would think that would have some sort of effect on perhaps florida voters. >> you know what else, i hope i haven't, mentioned new orleans on the show this week. i think when the way you see politicians and your local leaders, even media, wall to wall coverage. to me all of this living through this for a second time is proof of how katrina changed the nation's psychology when it comes to storms. >> oh, yes. >> how many lessons have been learned through those dark days along the gulf coast in '05. see it playing out. closest thing to katrina since '05. you are seeing the country

changed after the storm, even response on every level has changed as well. so interesting to watch again for sure. >> yeah. well, coming up next, the images are almost too much for adults to comprehend. for children, the pictures from sandy could be downright heartbreaking and confusing. >> we'll show you what one familiar fuzzy face is doing to help them understand. >> announcer: "world news now" continues after this from our abc stations. ñuñ

♪ well, we've all been assaulted by the sights and sounds of hurricane sandy. they can be hard for an adult but overwhelming for a child. >> imagine what it is like for kids. "gma" anchor josh elliott has this story.

>> reporter: we adults called it a superstorm. but amidst the ferocity of nature's wrath, for the youngest amongst us, it was just plain scary. so how do you talk to kids about getting through the storm of the century? we got together with a panel of newly minted veterans. and, an expert on kids. our friend elmo. >> i have a little daughter named serena, she actually, elmo wanted to ask you this question, what should she do if she is having trouble sleeping? >> elmo slept with mommy and daddy. >> you could do that. and many children have a comfort item. they may have a lovie, they may have a stuffed animal. >> elmo had baby david. >> see, baby david. >> i did. >> i did. >> what did you have? >> i had my stuffed animal, dog, named sparky. >> cool. >> elephant, tara.

>> how about you? >> i have paco and also sometimes elmo. and i'm allowed to sleep on top pillows. >> special way to sleep. >> i heard on the radio this morning that the bird nest in the hurricane blew away so i made a picture for him. >> that's very nice. elmo, she made a picture for your friend big bird. >> that's great. >> look at that. wow. that's big bird's new nest. elmo, can you bring this back to big bird? >> oh, yes. big bird is going to love that. >> oh, that's great. can we say good-bye to elmo and thank him? >> bye, elmo. >> elmo loves you, stay safe. ♪ josh elliott, abc news, new york. >> hope he finds big bird before he gets fired. [ laughter ] >> what did you tell your kids? >> i told them, you're safe. you're safe. we're okay. >> reassure them. with family, came out with your

health and your life. we're all good. "the mix" coming up next. health and your life. we're all good. "the mix" coming up next.

welcome back, everybody. even though it was certainly a weird holiday for a lot of folks yesterday, it was halloween. this story, you are going to love. there is a guy. his name is josh sundquist. don't show the picture just yet, a ski racer, motivational speaker, best-selling author, and calling him king of halloween. at age of 9, he lost his leg to cancer. but did not lose his sense of humor. so show the picture. guess what he was for halloween. >> that was iconic. remember that. >> the movie, christmas story, the dad had the leg lamp in the window. all the neighbors went crazy and the wife hated it. well, that is kind of what he did for his costume. >> he has got a nice looking leg. a nice looking leg. >> i thought that was a

brilliant halloween costume, you know what i mean. lost a leg to cancer, did not lose the sense of humor. well done, josh. nicely done. >> this is your are favorite story. >> this is my favorite story. i like that other one too, but, anyone who has ever lived in new york. >> or visited. >> or visited. taken the subway. you know new york rats in the subway station are this big. they look like cats. >> meow. >> well, what everyone is talking about right now is did the new york city rats survive hurricane sandy with all the flooding, right? >> please. >> all the flooding. >> they would survive a nuclear war. >> that's the thing. everyone thinks, an urban legend, there are just as many rats under, under new york, an old city built on top of, all of the sort of, the different layers of new york. they think there is one rat for every person. which would make 8 million rats. don't think there are 8 million rats. >> disgusting. >> but i remember growing up, taking the 14th street "l" train. they're not afraid of you. walk up to you. look at you.

run along the third rail which is supposed to electrocute them. does nothing to them. >> everywhere in the subway. what did the story say? did they survive this? >> some didn't. majority did. >> good thing maybe some of the babies washed out. took out a younger generation. >> i don't know, i don't know. >> some of the ones that were nesting got drowned. they'll make it no matter what. i assume this weekend most people have a chance to relax, cope with what is happening. may want to look for a new cocktail, something, different, new. jack daniels has a thing for you. they're coming out with a white whiskey since the first time since the prohibition era. available select stores in january. sells for $50. 750 milliliter bottle. >> moonshine. >> 70% rye, 19% above legal minimum for a rye whiskey, 12% malted barley. >> it's moonshine. >> white whiskey com

this morning on "world news this morning on "world news now" -- signs of progress amid scenes of devastation. >> as people begin to sift through what is left of their homes, a bipartisan show of muscle in storm-ravaged new jersey. jersey. it's thursday, november 1st. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good morning. i'm sunny hostin. paula faris is on assignment. >> after a week like this one, we need a little sunshine here in new york. it's good to have you back. how did you make out? >> i still have no power at home. >> okay. >> i am staying with a friend, a friend's sister, actually. my family is safe though. >> that's all that counts. >> and healthy. i got to tell you i was so happy to come in. as a native new yorker, i wanted to tell people's stories. >> a lot to tell, as you are

about to see. good morning, everybody. on this 1st day of november, i'm rob nelson. in the past 24 hours, unbelievable scenes of destruction, entire neighborhoods ravaged and huge chunks of one of the world's biggest cities plunged into darkness. this morning there are new concerns and even new reasons as well for some optimism. first we take things to new jersey where the smell of fear is literally in the air there. natural gas, hissing almost constantly, in neighborhood still of course trying to pick up the pieces. >> unbelievable. >> scary too. they say one spark, you know one cigarette butt. whole thing could blow. scary, yeah. well, also, this half hour, with the spotlight focused on certain communities, there are those who are suffering in silence. we're going to take you to one where we found some surprising scenes. and you may have seen them on your facebook feed, when tragedy meets photo shop. pictures of surreal scenes that look real but they are not. we'll show you some hurricane

hoaxes. >> that was so offensive to me. >> why would you in the middle of the tragedy, waste time putting together fake stuff. some people need to get a life i think. that's strange. we'll debunk erroneous information out there. yeah. well, we begin today with new details from sandy's aftermath. the storm is now blamed for at least 72 deaths. 6 million homes and businesses still have no power. >> there are signs of progress though here in new york. limited subway service starts this morning. la guardia airport reopens as well. that's good news for countless number of people. >> looked like under water for so long. >> la guardia lake. but lower manhattan, meanwhile, still in darkness. abc's brandi hitt joining us this morning near wall street. hi, brandi. >> hi there, rob. hi, sunny. yes, the power starting to slowly come back on in lower manhattan. which is a good sign but as the cleanup efforts now continue, new dangers are appearing in the aftermath of sandy including the threat of fire.

sandy left behind a sea of destruction in new jersey. and the danger in mantoloking isn't over. a high pressure gas main broke and gas is pouring out of the floodwaters. after lose everything, families now fear the natural gas liking from the piles of rubble that is already sparked several fires. president obama accompanied new jersey governor chris christie for an up close look at the damage, an entire neighborhood washed away. >> you going to be okay? everybody is safe. what i can promise you is that the federal government will be working as lowly as possible with the state and local officials and we will not quit until this is done. >> reporter: the iconic boardwalk is in ruins and thousands of people are still trapped in hoboken. >> it's scary. you've don't know how long you will be stuck here. >> reporter: in new york there is also severe damage. it is remarkable no one died here at breezy point where residents returned to salvage anything they could. >> it's devastating. it's something like you never saw before.

it's hard to believe. >> reporter: lights are slowly coming back on in lower manhattan. and work continues to restore other areas. the national guard was called in to help evacuate hundreds of people at new york's bellevue hospital. one of the largest trauma centers in the nation. conditions have been deteriorating since sandy hit. and sandy isn't finished. strong winds, rain and snow continue to cause damage as the storm moves north. and again that great news for new yorkers is that limited subway service will begin this morning. and la guardia airport is reopening although it will be limited at first. you're going to have all three airports now in new york city up and running. back to you, rob, sunny. >> thank you so much for the report, brandi. live for us in lower manhattan this morning. well, sandy is now being blamed for an oil spill off new jersey. more than 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled when the storm surge lifted and ruptured a storage tanker near woodbridge. the coast guard spokesman said a

secondary tank caught most of the oil and the spill is believed to be contained. contractors have been hired to clean it up. and across the river, thousands of people in hoboken, new jersey, are still waiting for rescue. apparently at least 25% of the city is under water. and the national guard has been working around the clock, carrying people to safety. >> the scene is growing more desperate. the mayor says the standing water is now filled with sewage. as you can imagine that has residents very worried. >> it's scary. you've don't know how long you are going to be stuck here. you don't know how you will get out of town. >> some people have run out of food. and now there are reports of price-gouging, with three bags of chips and a drink going for $14. >> insane. they say, last number i saw. 20,000 people trapped in hoboken. the worse flooding that city has seen, they say, in 200 years.

>> and again -- again, native new yorker. been to hoboken so many times. unfathomable. when i think about it and i look at those pictures. >> this type of thing doesn't happen in this part of the country. nobody has seen any like it before. well, the situation is just as dire along the jersey shore where sandy made landfall. several completely devastated beachside communities remain virtually cut off and that's not even the worst part. >> this is really scary. gas lines into those towns are the source of a major potentially explosive problem. abc's terry moran reports. >> reporter: fires rage in the town of mantoloking on the jersey shore, fueled by natural gas. fueled by natural gas. it is a harbinger of a worst case scenario, disaster after the disaster. >> you can smell gas. >> you can hear the gas. you can smell the gas. everywhere you go you hear -- shhh, just the gas, open gas lines going. just scared to death. [ hissing ] >> reporter: do you hear that?

that is the sound that everyone left in the towns is fearing the most now. it is a hissing gas main. you hear it on street after street. right up the shore. you can smell the gas in the air. and fire officials are concerned that these towns are basically ticking time bombs. everywhere we went, along the jersey shore -- [ hissing ] -- in town after town, the air was filled with his this hissing menace. [ hissing ] >> as the wind shifts it is going to get into the crawlspace. god forbid a spark. >> reporter: in the town of ortley beach frank is worried and getting angry. have you called the gas company about this? >> five times. >> reporter: what has the response been? >> we'll get there as soon as we can. >> reporter: a high-pressure gas main broke in the floodwaters right next to his home. you can actually see the gas pouring out. it ruptured monday night. >> i don't know why there's not more trucks here right now. i mean this is where we took the main shot.

this is it. like, where are all the gas trucks? you got down the block. we got down the block. why can't weep get gas trucks down the block? >> reporter: we saw fleets of earthmovers clearing streets choked with acres of sand. search-and-rescue teams continue to take the stranded to safety. but only a handful of gas crews. as the air fills with the makings of another catastrophe. abc news has reached out to new jersey natural gas, the utility company here, and received the following response -- "there is no imminent danger to life or property." the people here would disagree. terry moran, abc news, ortley, new jersey. and coming up in just a few minutes, the disturbing video that shows just how easy it is for a gas fire to ignite in a disaster zone. abc's jim avila shows us some of the surprising ways natural gas could blow. well, and that brings us to

the fire-ravaged community in the new york city borough of queens. for the first time yesterday, residents were able to visit their burned out homes. 111 burned in the firestorm. that happened amid flooding from sandy. all the residents who lost everything, all they could do was go poke around in the ashes hoping just to find something. for some it was simply too much. >> i can't believe -- just two months ago we were down here. it's crazy. >> new york governor andrew cuomo toured the fire zone yesterday. he promised residents that their community will be rebuilt. and, i -- i keep coming back to the story. of all the scenes we have seen. countless scenes to kind of, it breaks your heart. but that scene in breezy point really is just heartbreaking. not just your home, but your friend and neighbors for years. and even itch you survived it, you know, you're in the midst of this apocalyptic scene.

>> destruction. >> i think that's what we saw in the ninth ward, right, with katrina? certain people lost their homes. but those who still had homes, all they have is devastation around them. what is so surprising to me. i didn't have television. because i had no power but i was limping to everything on the radio. we were all prepared for wind and flooding. >> uh-huh. >> right. we were boarded up. but no one was prepared for fire. i think that just made it all the more devastating. >> exactly. there are at least two neighborhoods i read about in addition to breezy point where fire has been a major issue. just neighborhoods wiped out by the fire. in breezy point, they still don't know the cause of what exactly happened. was it a power line, was it a gas leak? what could it have been. you just know, your heart goes out to all the folks in the neighborhood. so is really is just one of the more heartbreaking scenes. there's a lot of heartbreak in this neck of the woods. coming up, many communities on the northeast coast are still

submerged. but that water isn't just overflow from the ocean and rivers, what contaminants might lurk beneath the water. plus, you've seen the damage in new jersey and new york city, a little later, we'll take you to some neighborhoods that have suffered in silence. but first, get a pencil. here's a look at how to help the victims of hurricane sandy. you are watching "world news now." weather brought to you by colonial penn life insurance. colonial penn life insurance. follow the wings.

♪ terry moran reported earlier on those hard-hit new jersey towns where natural gas is leaking out of damaged pipes. how easy is it for the gas to become a fire? >> that's an important question. abc's jim avila went to a fire training center in virginia where they simulated a broken gas line and demonstrated how fast and hot a fire burns once it's lit. in a disaster zone, ignition sources they are everywhere. >> virtually anything can be ignition source, motors, fans, can ignite it. heat, the temperatures mean it's cherry red, an electric stove that's cherry red is hot enough to ignite the mixture.

>> fire officials say that outside a gas leak requires a direct spark to ignite. but leaks inside a house can be explosive. look at that. so if you hear or smell gas, get out and call 911. we hear the reports about the towns where they're hearing the hissing. that is incredibly important advice. >> well, a lot of people are also trying to maintain some sort of normalcy, even though they don't have power, they may have a gas stove, they're trying to cook. all these things happening. >> be careful, folks, please. contaminated water, that's another issue, right? another lingering danger of a storm like this. abc's medical editor, dr. richard besser sampled floodwaters in lower manhattan and took it to a lab. their tests found gasoline and two types of bacteria that are in sue watch. anyone who comes in contact with floodwater should wear gloves and boots. >> dr. besser also visited one town where the water is now

contaminated after the power went out at a pumping station. it may be drinkable if you boil it for a full minute or by purifying it with unscented bleach. local officials can give the best advice so please pay attention to what your local leaders are saying. >> yeah, i'm nervous about that, about the water. with power outages widespread, some of the ones that have power have run out of gas. there was a traffic jam in one new jersey town as 100 vehicles waited to get to a pump. >> some drivers said they were there for more than an hour before they were able to fill up their cars or gas cans to fuel those home generators. and say that again? >> isn't that something? i myself was at home online trying to get gas so i could come in and sit here with you. only premium gas was available and it was upward of five bucks a gallon. >> really? gas prices are not expected to go up too far. because people have been impacted by the storm are not going to travel toe there's less

demand. they don't expect prices to come back done to much more reasonable level. sooner rather than later. >> great news. >> some encouraging news. don't get too freaked out by the prices today. should come down. this next story freaked me out. hurricane hoaxes. photo shopped images that had some people thinking sharks were swimming around manhattan. i believe some of that. >> there are sharks. just not in the water. first, the communities are not in the spotlight. but sandy's wrath is leaving them stranded. we will have that and more when "world news now" continues right after this. >> announcer: "world news now" continues after this from our abc stations.

♪ firefighters in one of connecticut's wealthiest towns were powerless against a fire that struck three waterfront mansions as sandy blew ashore the they were forced to retreat and return later. >> another place hit hard by the

storm and one we haven't heard so much about is actually another of new york's five boroughs, staten island. >> reporter: we woke up to alarming images out of staten island, people being plucked off their roofs two days after sandy, scenes reminiscent of katrina. also reports of a desperate search for two children swept away from their mom in the storm surge. and then word that the death toll what nearly doubled to 14. it was becoming clear that staten island, a sleepy enclave, best known as the namesake for the famous staten island ferry was a world away from the rest of the city which was getting moving again. so we hopped in the car outside of our office in manhattan expecting a journey that would be made very difficult by a city's maddening post storm gridlock. finally, we arrived. and look at what we saw next from our window. >> the transformer blew up and burned down completely. >> reporter: then we got to the flooding. mike roman had just salvaged the kids' clothing from their flooded-out house.

>> reporter: we quickly started to hear stories about a wall of water that came through here. >> dragged my car out flipping cars over as you can see here. the cars flipped over. just amazing. it was like a tsunami. at one point. the waves, the pressure of the waves, just over this house here. it was extraordinary what happened. >> reporter: some people were trapped in their homes and drowned. the deeper we went on our tour of hell the more bizarre the scenery became. but the craziest thing we saw was donald clarkins' house. this is your house right here? >> yes. used to be over there. >> reporter: just to put a fine point on this, the house was there -- >> right. >> reporter: -- and the water pushed it all the way over here. >> pushed it and the other side used to be on this side. >> reporter: pushed it and twisted it? >> pushed it and twisted it. >> yeah, yeah. >> reporter: sad he told us. but he will rebuild. resilience and recognition that mother nature is in fact the boss.

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the frigid edge of the super storm has left at least six people dead in west virginia. >> some areas have already seen 20 inches of snow and it is not over yet. the wet, heavy snow has been weighing down power lines and knocking out electricity and road crews are working now around the clock to clear highways and mountain passes. hurricane sandy is still spinning out stunning images of destruction of rescue and of very strange weather. >> in the flood, pictures have come our way the last few days. some are too strange to be true or are they. here is "gma" anchor josh elliott. >> reporter: sandy's destructive march through new york city produced more than its share of stunning images. >> oh, my gosh. >> reporter: but stacking up across social media, piles of hurricane hoaxes. some, simply fake. or clever jokes.

but others, real photographs of the wrong storm. with its iconic imagery, manhattan seemed an easy target. free frames of a destroyed city from disaster movies such as "deep impact" or "the day after tomorrow." and as real floodwaters ravaged the new york transit system this photo shop of a scuba driver turned strap hanger. all amid a flurry of images that seem impossible but aren't. a partially submerged fully lit carousel in brooklyn or tanker on a beach in staten island. cars floating out of a parking garage in greenwich village. and don't forget the sharks. but surely, these photos of the predator of the deep and newly aquatic highways, homes and escalators, well, they can't be real. okay. they're not. but according to george parsons of chicago shedd aquarium, they could be. >> the possibility is definitely there. my advice to the sharks swimming

around near the manhattan area is to go and visit papaya dome, it's one of my favorite establishments there. >> josh elliott, abc news, new york. >> have to tell you, i bought the shark picture. >> you thought that was real? >> there are tiger sharks in the long island sound. so i thought, well, maybe, it's possible. >> people spend the time. in the middle of all that is going on. people hurting. there's tragedy going around to make fake photos. i give them thumbs up for creativity but come on. other things to work on. >> you don't have to add to fear, devastation and destruction. >> i got a call from a friend in new orleans saying i heard there's three feet of water in the new york stock exchange. i was like, no, that's another false thing that got out there. just be careful what you believe. >> that's the news for this half hour. follow us on facebook at wnnfans.com. >> and on twitter @abcwnn. @ñ?xú?

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this morning on "world news now" -- the long road to recovery. new york city takes new steps as it tries to get back on its feet after hurricane sandy. but from the streets to the subways, it is far from business as usual. it's thursday, november 1st. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." good thursday morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson. a familiar face back in the house. >> yes. i'm so, so happy to be here. i have been trapped in westchester county in my home. >> no power. we have power here. no power at home. >> nice and warm here. [ laughter ] >> i get it. >> so we are healthy and safe. >> and that's what counts. >> that's what counts. >> absolutely. >> i'm sunny hostin. paula faris is on assignment. we'll get the latest on the wreckage, the rescues and the recovery in the wake of sandy in just a moment.

also this half hour, just five days until the election. we haven't been talking about that. >> i know. what collection? what election? what? what? >> -- because of the storm. as the campaign trail and the hurricane's trail of destruction crisscross. >> it was an amazing day yesterday between the president and governor christie in new jersey. >> oh, yes. >> no one quite gets or understands how this will play out. does this help romney? does it help the president? what are the polls showing? it has been a topsy-turvy few days, no one really knows. we'll know tuesday night. won't we? >> yes. also ahead, heroes of the hurricane, some of the neighbors helping neighbors with a new life on the line. then, we'll lighten things up a little and show you some of the best celebrity halloween costumes "ifs and butts" that will make more sense. shortly. that will come up in "the skinny". >> i think people have a little idea what's going on there. we'll get to that in a second. bring "the skinny" back after a few days of all storm news. that's good. of course we have got to stick

with the sandy story and palpable signs of recovery in sandy's wake. power is being restored in what has been a very dark lower manhattan. and traffic lights in new york's financial district came back on yesterday afternoon. power to buildings is coming back a bit slower. one by one. still a bit of good news. >> parts of new york's virtual lifeline, its subway system, will begin running again today. millions of people count on the system here in new york. the flooding which closed so many stations and tunnels has eased a bit. new york's mayor though is urging patience and tolerance. >> many people's lives were turned upside down by the storm. and you have my word that everyone in city government at every level is working 24 hours a day to get the city back on track, including working with the mta, and con-ed to meet the two biggest challenges we face. mass transit and electric power. >> now, laguardia airport which suffered severe flooding, you can see it there, will open again this morning for limited service. the city's other two airports

are up and running and amtrak says it will also begin service to the big apple starting tomorrow. thousands of people in hoboken, new jersey, though, are still waiting for rescue. at least 25% of the city is under water, and the national guard has been working around the clock carrying people to safety. and the scene is growing more desperate. the mayor says the standing water is now filled with sewage. some people have run out of food and now there are reports, unfortunately, of price-gouging, with three bags of potato chips and a drink going for $14. which is infuriating to me. >> awful. people in every tragedy you find people who try to take advantage. this one is no different. it's so, so dad. but farther south, new jersey residents got a visit from president obama. just days now before the election next week, the president put politics aside to tour the storm zone. >> there he was, side by side with governor chris christie, one of mitt romney's biggest supporters.

more from abc's jake tapper. >> reporter: hurricane sandy has forced the president to cancel his appearance at seven campaign events. but he may have gotten something more valuable. >> you're going to be okay. everybody's safe, right? >> reporter: the opportunity to lead and be seen leading. with new jersey's republican governor chris christie at a shelter in bringhamtine, new jersey. >> hang in there. >> thank you. >> reporter: there is was a most public display of bipartisanship, a trait many undecided voters profess to love, one sorely lacking in washington, d.c. >> he has worked incredibly closely with me. i cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern. >> governor christie throughout this process has been responsive. he has put his heart and soul into making sure that the people of new jersey bounce back even stronger than before. >> reporter: the president seems confident his campaign manager said they have the math. romney's campaign the myth. polls out had the president up in two of the states the president needs to put together his electoral puzzle.

wisconsin and ohio. and it's not as if all campaigning has discontinued. >> we have got to get through the next six days. >> vice president biden in florida, and former president bill clinton in iowa making the president's case for him. >> obama's economic plan is better. >> reporter: starting thursday, president obama will be campaigning, full time. full steam ahead going to wisconsin, colorado, nevada. three cities in ohio. and that's just thursday and friday. jake tapper, abc news, the white house. romney was also striking a harmonious note as he hit the campaign trail in florida. refraining though from lashing out at the president. >> the latest abc news poll shows the race is still in a dead heat. romney replaced any criticism of his opponent with talk of unity. >> look, we can't go on the road we are on. we can't change course in america, if we keep on attacking each other. we have got to come together and get america on track again. >> romney hits the road today in

another key battleground state. holding several events in virginia. and supporters there will be able to drop off donations for storm relief efforts. >> you listen to some analysts. i still think it's really unclear whether this helps or hurts romney or the president. i think people really don't know. it is a tight race, the bottom line. but legitimate questions about people who have lost power, will they go to vote. will polling sites have power in the hard-hit areas. lots of questions come tuesday. >> arguably, the northeast will swing democratic, right, that's historically true. >> historically. >> historically true. but i thought it was sort of interesting this sort of bromance we saw between president obama and chris christie. >> yeah, they're dating. they're dating. >> and he basically, i think, chris christie, almost vouched for president obama. and so, as a leader, during these tough times. so that was pretty fascinating. i think that may have an effect. >> appearance of being presidential. you know what i mean? in a tragic situation like that. so we will see how it plays out. lots of questions though. hundreds of residents, many who refused orders to evacuate

ahead of sandy are stuck in shelters this morning. this center along the jersey shore wasn't originally supposed to provide shelter. but volunteers made a last minute decision. local restaurants are helping out donating food and cooks to provide three square meals a day. now everyone is just waiting for the all clear. >> our home was down on 12th street north. we heard that part of the island took a huge hit. we haven't been able to make it back there yet. so pretty much, we are just looking at complete loss. >> now there were some reassuring signs of normal life in the garden state. despite the governor's request to postpone halloween until monday the 5th. these little ones went trick or treating in the town of oradell. looking good. >> i like that. like that. >> kids have got to have a halloween. i like that too. well, work crews from all over the country are pouring into the areas hard-hit by sandy. southern california, edison, packed up its equipment and hundreds of personnel for duty in new york and new jersey.

>> if you can imagine the devastation that is in new york, what we are doing is they're asking us to send literally self-contained work groups. >> of course the need for utility crews is huge. about 6 million homes and businesses are still without power. and i love to hear about those not affected coming in and helping those that need the help. >> absolutely. >> so badly. >> you can't look at this and not feel, not get your heart strings pulled. you can't. well, something uplifting here, a great story, in fact, involving one of new york's famous steakhouses. it's called the old homestead in lower manhattan. instead of letting the steaks and good meat go bad because the power is out, they decided to sell it at cut rate prices. >> yes, they moved the kitchen out on to the sidewalk. and charged passer-byes, $10 for a steak that goes for $47 on the menu. >> ooh, that's a deal! >> the desserts were offered at greatly reduced prices as well.

the owner told the cooks to keep all the cash. >> i like that. i like that. see, that's the humanity sometimes. a good steak too. >> good steak. coming up next, the race will go on. the new york city marathon is a go. despite the storm clean-up that still needs to be done. why not everyone agrees with that decision. but first, neighbors helping neighbors. the men and women who went above and beyond during the storm to make sure even the smallest among us stayed safe. but before we go -- a look at how you too can help. sure even the smallest among us stayed safe. but before we go -- a look at how you too can help. >> announcer: "world news now" weather brought to you by lifestyle lift. you by lifestyle lift.

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♪ well, every rescue from disaster is a harrowing and dramatic story in which selfless people come to the aid of those in dire need. >> there are tales of generosity and gratitude. all over the place. >> uh-huh. >> abc's david muir has a storybook full of them. >> reporter: new mom julia and her husband deron and their new baby micah letting us know that they're okay. >> hey, david. as you can see we are doing great and really happy. >> reporter: like so many people they wanted just one thing to say thank you to the quiet samaritans, nurses simply doing their jobs, who became the real heroes of the hurricane. julia was in labor having

contractions inside that new york hospital that went dark, lost power when the generators gave out. desperate for an epidural in the darkness, her husband held the cell phone light while nurses want to work. >> i was standing, and it was one of the flip -- flip cell phones, one of the old ones, and i was just basically holding it above her while she was putting in the iv kind of making sure there was enough light for the doctors behind her. >> reporter: they were rushed out of the hospital, they got into an ambulance. but driving the ambulance was a worker who had come from california to help with the storm approaching. and when they said they were heading to mount sinai hospital. he said, "how do you get there?" navigating the streets part of the tree came crashing down on the ambulance. they got there. 40 minutes later, baby micah was born. so how's micah? >> oh, he's beautiful. he is awesome. >> reporter: so many families like them touched by the kindness, bravery of others. >> there is no words i have to thank them for what they did for us. >> reporter: this mom and dad and their baby, just 6 hours old were also carried out of the darkened hospital.

>> it is pretty amazing. you saw them dripping with sweat, and carrying the women that couldn't walk down the stairs. >> y'all were the welcoming committee? >> that's right. >> yes. >> reporter: this was the team waiting at lenox hill hospital, taking in patients. >> there's no practice for this, never. >> reporter: no practice but perseverance and pride in what they were doing in those dark hours. >> happy ending? >> definitely. it's all about passion. >> reporter: passion for those who helped. and parents who are forever grateful. david muir, abc news, new york. >> the parents have quite a story to share with that kid. [ laughter ] all right. when we come back, change gears, lighten the mood a little bit. it's been a long week for everybody, and we'll see what's shaking in "the skinny." >> yes, you are watching "world news now." >> announcer: "world news now" continues after this from our abc stations.

♪ skinny ♪ so skinny welcome back, everybody. this is the first time all week we've had "the skinny." it's been a serious week. we didn't want to kind of -- you know, there were other important things to get to. but we are slowly saying, let's get back to, a new normal, a little bit. >> a new normal. >> so we're bringing "the skinny" back here. and of course yesterday was halloween. didn't feel like it. >> didn't feel that way. >> weird kind of, you know, weird holiday this year, all that is going on with the storm. we thought we would give you a glimpse as to some cool costumes out there. starting with ellen degeneres.

she came -- this was really great. she came as sophia vergara's exposed butt cheeks. that is what she dressed as on the left. >> and it's because she had that wardrobe malfunction. >> sophia did. ellen decided to have a little fun. the real sophia on the right. they're dancing on the show. ellen is out there making fun of the wardrobe malfunction. letting it all hang out. ellen loves to dance anyway. >> yes. >> sophia is famous for her curves to say the least. that is a costume i can really get my hands around. >> and she does a good sofia vergara, doesn't she? >> i'm on the award-winning "modern family." i get so much work with this fake accent. people think it's real. i don't know why, people think it's real. but i -- [ laughter ] >> they had a lot of fun. i like it. well done, ellen. well done. >> well done. >> well, i love this one. because i am a huge fan of superheroes and all that. >> you love it.

>> i mean, i've got my wonder woman blanket because he keeps it very cold here. >> i do like it cold. >> i saw this. i thought, wow, the rock wins halloween, as, look, look, look, the hulk. >> he looks just like the hulk. >> he looks just like him. it's so good. it's so good. >> wow. >> so good. >> that's the rock, man, all green. impressive. >> like lou ferrigno. >> like normal dude didn't need the fake muscles. that is all him. >> it was right there. fantastic. >> you like that picture, huh? i see you got a little smile, uh-huh, all right. [ laughter ] >> who doesn't like the rock? >> of course, also, you've heard a lot of talk about the jersey shore in light of sandy here, but it's also the name of the incredibly popular mtv show in its last season here. you hear so much, so many pictures from seaside heights, the town that was almost really wiped off the map. there it is obviously on the show featured during much, much better days. there's that roller coaster that's now in the water.

but anyway, the cast, i give them a lot of credit. they have extended their thoughts and their sympathies and kind of come out in support of the others. the roller coaster i mentioned, showing their support for the town that became -- even, you know, this part of the country know that town. once that show took off. >> everyone knew. >> -- yeah, everyone knew about seaside heights in a world of hurt. >> so snooki said it's devastating to see seaside affects. devastating to see the boardwalk ruined. my prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm. j-woww was on the leno show just on tuesday. she said she lost power, all her friends, fiance, are safe, that is all that matters. devastating. and vinny from staten island. he said my home town is like a war zone these days. he said, so, he posted pictures on twitter that kind of thing. they're all expressing their support for the area of the country that made them rich and made them famous. >> exactly. >> so, i'm glad to see them

coming out and speaking out and share some sympathy. >> absolutely. because it makes it almost tangible for people. if you watched the show. you know, feel the devastation. >> absolutely. >> last but not least. jimmy kimmel. everyone has someone they idolize as a child. i idolize someone, oprah. >> i know. you call her -- >> the oracle. well, he apparently idolized david letterman as a child. and he had the opportunity to have david letterman on his show. he's from brooklyn originally. that's actually, his cake said "late night with david letterman." he had a license plate on his car that said "late night." look at that. so, big, big deal for jimmy kimmel. he gets to interview david letterman on his show. he is usually in l.a. but he is in brooklyn. it was preplanned. he gets here, of course, hurricane sandy hits. >> totally coincidental. planned for months. obviously, jimmy is from brooklyn. tapes the show out west. compared to having letterman on his show when letterman had carson on his show. everyone in the business has an idol. dave is one of jimmy's. >> yours, yours, we got to find out.

>> we have more news coming up. stay with us, everybody. >> we have more news coming up. stay with us, everybody. follow the wings.

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all right, finally this half hour, the new york city marathon is set for this coming sunday. 50,000 folks will run across all five of the city's boroughs. >> in any year, that's a huge event. but this year coming less than a week after the hurricane hit, some say it should be called off. laura behnke of our new york station has the story. >> reporter: it is often said that major sporting events have ability to unite a city or region in the wake of disastrous events. officials and runners believe the ing new york city marathon will do that for this city after hurricane sandy. >> we are simply heartsick for those who have been hurt by hurricane sandy. the opportunity is for the

marathon to be our most visibility step forward as a city. >> the ing marathon shows off the spirit of the city like no other. i think after tragedies the best thing we can do is come together and celebrate. >> reporter: the new york roadrunners understand the amount of work that is required to get an event of this magnitude up and running but insist they will not interrupt the city's post storm work. >> the joint effort of new york roadrunners in the city is certainly not to distract one resource from the recovery of the city. >> reporter: at this point, the new york roadrunners are optimistic. most of the elite athletes will arrive in time for sunday's race. but they do say it is important for all the runners to have a little flexibility. >> i think the best thing you can do is not stress. elite athlete or every athlete out there, stress doesn't help your race it doesn't help travel. you kind of have to roll with the punches. >> reporter: which really is typical of any race. >> one of the things, distance running it never goes perfectly in a race or training. you kind of just have to go with it. >> definitely not the year everybody was planning to run will run. and that's okay. the total positive impact will

still be more than significant. and helpful to the city. >> reporter: laura behnke, channel 7, eyewitness news. >> see, i think it is important to the city for those vendors that are there. for the businesses. you know, i ran the marine corps marathon, it really is incredible when you have the folks coming out on the street, you got to stop and you're buying things. >> but all of that just miles from where homes have been washed away and people are -- homeless and, i don't know. i think it's a tough call. there is no right answer. i think it's just -- >> well, it's the same call that had to be made in new orleans after katrina with mardi gras. >> huge debate. the difference was -- that storm happened in august. mardi gras was in february. months between. now days between. >> i know. >> i don't know. i don't know. a tough call here. it is going to go on. the mayor said it is. those of you coming into the city to do it. run hard. run well. we'll be back with more after this. run well. we'll be back with more after this. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now." informing insomniacs for two @